More than 500 Twitter users are now following the City of Fresno on the fast-growing social networking platform after just a month.

The City uses its Twitter feed to update the public daily on local issues, road closures, special events and other information, according to a press release.

“Twitter is an important part of the City’s public outreach effort, so I’m excited to see so many citizens linking up with us in this way,” said Randy Reed, director of communications, in a statement. “I hope that more people will take advantage of technology like this to stay connected to City Hall.”

The City began actively using Twitter in early July and has posted information on the activation of Cooling Centers, updates on Met Museum negotiations, and the closure of the H Street homeless encampments, to name a few. In addition, the City has responded directly to other Twitter users who have reported issues such as water waste and burned out streetlights.

“We’ve really just scratched the surface of how we can use Twitter and other tools like it to enhance the service we provide to our community,” Reed said. “This is the next generation of communication, so it’s important that learn how to harness it effectively to serve our community better.”